The Look for Less....Literally.

With the recession effecting the economy today, money is no longer a play thing. Most folks are spending money only on necessities and keeping what they have. While it's true that you can spruce your wardrobe up by mixing and matching, you can also shop a little more thrifty and still be as trendy as the celebrities and socialites.

If you haven't noticed by now, one of my favorite places to indulge is the thrift store. Any and every thrift store! They hold some of the most precious treasures that others have thrown away.

Take this shirt for example. This is a vintage authentic Yves Saint Laurent button-down that I found for less than $5.00! Pair it with a vest and tie and hot pair of skinny jeans....you have thrift store couture.

Oxfords! Once frowned upon, now held as a must-have in every trendy mans closet. Browse the shoe section in the thrift store to find these dusty yet fabulously worn oxfords. I found these for just $4.00 and they were in perfect condition. Wear them w/ skinny jeans, a slummy tee, and a cardigan and you're set!

A classic blazer is ALWAYS a necessity in the trendy man's closet! This particular blazer happens to be super fitted and almost too small, but, only to add the European flare. When thrift shopping for blazers, look for a size slightly smaller than your normal suit size. This super fitted look will help you achieve that Euro-Stylish look that is so prolific in common fashion. This blazer cost me $5.00

Lest we not forget our faithful cardigan! Cardigans are such an essential piece in anyone's closet, they add so much versatility. I stumbled upon this lovely piece at a Goodwill in search for something else. It cost me just $4.00 and is in great condition! It can be worn casually and also dressed up. I've worn it to church as well as casual outings with friends!

Shop smart! Wearing labels is NOT always the attention getter. It's about flawlessly wearing what you can afford and styling it like something you cannot!

Know your Fashion [History]...

Just as everything else in our world has its roots, so does fashion. It has not always been appreciated not has it always been as influential as we may think. But, taking a look back in history we have a few individuals to thank for taking the fate of fashion into their hands and allowing it to evolve and flourish, resulting in the fashion industry we revel over today.

Gabrielle Chanel, (1883-1971) or Coco Chanel as we know her, was a revolutionary designer of her time and still holds the title as one the most innovative designers who lived. Using her talent as a seamstress (a trade which she was taught by nuns while at an orphanage) Chanel recreated

women's fashion and revolutionized the way we looked at fashion period. She had successfully opened up boutiques in more than two cities at a very young age. One of which still stands as her headquarters in Paris's Rue Cambon.

In 1925, Chanel stirred up the dull fashion scene and introduced her legendary "Chanel Suit". The suit was simply a collarless jacket worn with a fitted skirt. This exquisite design displayed

somewhat a masculine feel but yet held a most feminine appearance. No longer would women be bound by corsets and confining attire. Chanel also introduced the need for accessories; she always wore several strands of pearls with exciting bracelets and striking hats.

Chanel got her nickname "Coco" during her short career as a singer. It was a shorter word for cocotte, which meant "kept woman", something she definitely represented. Chanel died in 1971, but, today she is still survived by her revolutionary designs, her innovative creations, and of course her unforgettable scent Chanel No. 5.

(source: http://www.biography.com/articles/Coco-Chanel-9244165)

When referring to the survival of the lovely Coco Chanel, one must not omit the name Karl Lagerfeld (1939-). When she passed, he took over the house of Chanel and through his innate sense of fashion he headed the modern revival of her fashions. He is also credited for his work behind designers such as Valentino, Chloe, and Fendi which are all towering names in today's fashion industry. He reigns from Germany and is a total mastermind in the world of fashion; unprecedented and unmatched, Lagerfeld has an extremely powerful influence on the fashions we sport today. At the young age of 17 he started off working as an apprentice at Pierre Balmain (another fashion lord), then moved to work with haute couture collections with Jean Patou. Soon after that, his first collection was shown (1958) using the name Roland Karl. His career is full of designing and connecting with some of the most famous names in the fashion world. In 1984 he launched his own line Karl Lagerfeld in which he focused on "intellectual sexiness".

Lagerfeld is still at the top of every fashion/style list ever created. In 1997 he was deemed by Vogue as the "unparalleled interpreter of the mood of the moment." He remains a showstopper with his avant-garde designs and head-turning creations.

(source: http://www.biography.com/articles/Karl-Lagerfeld-9371367 : http://www.vogue.co.uk/biographies/080420-karl-lagerfeld.aspx)

The list of pioneers who revolutionized fashion also include those in the likes of Gianni Versace, Pierre Balmain, Balenciaga, Yves Saint-Laurent. It is always important for one to know their history and from where they came, in my case, I must pay my respects to the names mentioned above and several others for making fashion what is today!

YAY for 2010!!

2009 is finally over! Welcoming 2010 with open arms, positive energy and of course.....an empty closet! I'm so ready to see what the new fashion trends are and certainly ready to participate in them. My 2010 resolution is to.....uuummmmm....I'm not sure, but, I know I wanna do a hell of a lot of shopping and networking. Stick with me this year as I continue to help you with your wardrobe issues and make you celebrity-trendy for so much less!